January 19, 2021
Contact: Maeve Cronin
mcronin7@gmu.edu
NSI Advisory Board Member David Cohen To Be Nominated
As Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency
Arlington, VA – On January 15, 2021, President-elect Joe Biden announced that he will nominate former NSI Advisory Board member David Cohen to serve as Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Mr. Cohen served on NSI’s Advisory Board until his announced appointment. Mr. Cohen previously served as Deputy Director of the CIA from 2015-2017 and at the conclusion of his tenure, was awarded the Distinguished Intelligence Medal, the CIA’s highest honor. Before rejoining WilmerHale in 2017, Mr. Cohen served for eight years in senior presidentially appointed positions, including Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence and Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorist Financing at the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
“David Cohen is a proven national security leader and has been a terrific asset to the NSI Advisory Board. NSI’s loss, however is CIA’s and our nation’s gain as David returns to continue the important work he began a few years ago. I can’t imagine a better person to help lead the CIA at this critical time in our nation,” said Jamil N. Jaffer, Founder of GMU’s National Security Institute
Mr. Cohen’s bio can be found here.
About the National Security Institute
The National Security Institute serves as a platform for research, teaching, scholarship, and policy development that incorporates a realistic assessment of the threats facing the United States and its allies, as well as an appreciation of the legal and practical challenges facing U.S. intelligence, defense, law enforcement, homeland security, and cybersecurity communities. NSI draws on the experience of its fellows, as well as its highly distinguished advisory board and faculty, to produce timely research and policy materials that deliver insightful analysis and actionable recommendations to senior policymakers in the White House and key departments and agencies, as well as those on Capitol Hill.
About George Mason
George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls more than 33,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility.
About the Scalia Law School
The Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University is defined by three words: Learn. Challenge. Lead. Students receive an outstanding legal education (Learn), are taught to critically evaluate prevailing orthodoxy and pursue new ideas (Challenge), and, ultimately, are well prepared to distinguish themselves in their chosen fields (Lead). It has been one of America’s top-ranked law schools for the last fifteen years.